HEARTS boss Robbie Neilson last night defended his selection policy as his club crashed out of the Petrofac Training Cup.

The Jambos made 10 changes to the starting line-up that dumped Hibs in the Edinburgh derby on Sunday as Neilson handed five teenagers their debuts.

Hearts were humbled 4-1 but three of Livi’s goals came in the last 15 minutes as experience told in the end and John McGlynn’s side reached the last eight.

Neilson said: “It was a good experience for the kids coming in. I spoke to them afterwards and said it was a learning curve. We’ve used this tournament as a chance for some of our younger guys to play and they did well for the first hour.

“We’re a club that’s here to develop players and sometimes you’ve got to take results such as this on the chin.

“The Petrofac Training Cup is a development competition. Yes, we lost but some young players have made their debuts now. Our fans also backed us and many stayed until the end. We were 1-0 down at the interval and I didn’t hear any boos.”

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Livi manager McGlynn is dreaming of emulating Raith last season who won through to the Final then stunned Rangers at Easter Road.

However, he admits his eyebrows were raised when he saw the Hearts teamsheet.

McGlynn said: “I was very surprised. I heard Robbie say in the media he would make changes but never did I think he would make as many. But it’s up to him.

“I don’t know if he underestimated us. Maybe this cup is not a priority for them.

“There was a fear our players could look at the teamsheet and go out with the wrong attitude but they came out the blocks well and scored an early goal.

“A second goal before half-time would have made us more comfortable. Hearts played well after the break but our second goal knocked the stuffing out of them.”